Apparatus and method for deaeration of liquids



May 16, 1950 w. MCK. MARTIN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DEAERAITION 0FLIQUIDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 14, 1949 A m. .1 6 m F4 am 3 Q9 M w99 3 9 2 3% M h\ all. I A g m 1. 2 M. 2 a Z ATTORNEY May 16, 1950 w.MOK. MARTIN 2,507,797

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DEAERATION 0F LIQUIDS Filed Feb. 14, 1949 2Sheet s-'-Sheet 2 William Muff. Mali]?! INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Patented May 16, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS ANDMETHOD FOR DEAERATION OF LIQUIDS Application February 14, 1949, SerialNo. 76,381

Claims.

My invention relates to deaeration, and more particularly to centrifugaldeaeration of liquids.

Objects of my invention, among others, are the provision of an improvedcentrifugal deaerator and method of deaeration by centrifugal force, bywhich the liquid to be deaerated is repeatedly and continually disruptedinto relatively small droplets under the action of such centrifugalforce and then coalesced after each disruption, so as to allow escape ofoccluded or dissolved gas such as air which may exist in the liquid;which are both simple and economical; and in which the apparatusconsists of relatively few working parts. Other objects of my inventionwill become apparent from a perusal thereof.

In general, my apparatus comprises a rotor provided with a plurality ofapertured annular baiile plates which are nested in spaced relationshipwith respect to each other, and which are rotated as a unit underrelatively high speed in an enclosed chamber maintained under vacuum.Liquid to be deaerated is introduced centrally of the rotor into thespace within the. innermost apertured baffle plate. As a result, theliquid is thrown outwardly under the centrifugal force effect, againstthe surfaces of the apertured baffle plates, which effect disruption ofthe liquid into droplets that become coalesced as they strike asucceeding baii'le.

Because of the provision of a plurality of such 1 baille plates, wherebythere is an inner apertured baille plate, an outer apertured baiileplate and apertured baflle plates in spaced relationship therebetween,the described droplet formation and subsequent coalescence arerepeatedly effected; and dissolved or occluded gas in the liquid isbrought to the surface layer of the droplets and can thus readily escapeunder the vacuum eflfect. This action is important in exposing a freshlayer of liquid to the vacuum after each successive passage through thebaflies. The dissolved or occluded gas is, thus, moved to the surface ofthe droplets mechanically rather than by diffusion.

Reference is now made to the drawings for a more detailed description ofmy invention in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional elevation of an embodiment of theapparatus of my invention, parts being broken away to illustrate moreclearly the construction;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken in the plane indicated by the line22 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary isometric view of the inner baiiie plate whichis associated with means 2 to prevent liquid from climbing over saidbaille plate as it is being introduced;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional elevation of a modified formof rotor construction wherein the baffle plates are detachably mountedas a unit, and another form of means for preventing climbing of theliquid over the inner baffle plate is provided; the plane of the sectionbeing indicated by line 4-4 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a detachable spider upon which the baffleplates of the modification of Fig. 4 are mounted;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the rotor base of the modificationof Fig. 4, upon which the spider is mounted;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary section taken in the plane indicated by line inFig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional elevation of a still furtherembodiment of rotor construction.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the apparatus comprises enclosed chamber2 mounted on a suitable base 3 which also provides a housing for anysuitable driving motor. Adjacent its top, chamber 2 is provided withconnection means 4 for connection to a source of vacuum shown in theform of vacuum pump 5 which is adapted to maintain a relatively highvacuum within chamber 2, but which may be any other source of vacuum. Aremovable cover 6 is provided for the chamber, and is adapted to rest onrubber sealing gasket 6; the vacuum maintaining the cover tight inoperation of the apparatus.

A horizontally positioned rotor unit I is rotatably mounted withinchamber 2 below vacuum connection 4, for rotation about an uprightaxis,. and includes base plate 8 fixedly secured for rotation to motorshaft 9 by key II. The motor shaft is journaled for rotation in a hollowboss l2 integral with the belled bottom of chamber.

2, and which contains a suitable expansible seal l3 comprising the usualspaced sealing elements Rotor base plate 8 is provided with a centralhub portion 2!, and a plurality of concentric grooves 22 about such hubportion. Detachably mounted on to hub portion 2| by means of bay-.

onet-slot connection 23 is inner annular baflle plate 24 havingapertures 26 in the wall thereof about its entire periphery. About innerplate 24 are a plurality of concentrically arranged spaced annularbafile plates 21 which are secured in the grooves 22 of base plate 8 byany suitable means, such as brazing or welding; each of the walls ofbaflle plates 21 being also provided with the apertures 26 about itsentire periphery.

Means is provided for introducing liquid to bc deaerated centrally ofthe rotor into the space within the inner bafile plate 24, comprisingconduit 28 within chamber 2 and connected through fitting 29 in the wallof chamber 2, to a source of the liquid supply by means of piping 3| andpump 32 which is preferably a centrifugal pump but may be of any othertype. Gravity feed of the liquid can also be employed. The discharge end33 of conduit 28 is adjacent the inlet end of inner baiile plate 24extending just inside such end; and as a result the liquid to bedeaerated is fed without spillage into the receptacle which the innerbaille plate 24 provides.

In operation, the rotor is rotated at a high speed, for example, about1800 to 3500 R. P. M.; and to prevent climbing of the liquid beingintroduced into the rotor over the inlet end of inner baflle plate 24,means associated with such plate is provided to obtain this result. Suchmeans comprises inwardly extending lip or flange 34 on the inlet end ofbaflle plate 24, and a plurality of inclined cooperating impeller blades36 on the inner wall of baflle plate 24 spaced below flange 34. Theseblades are inclined upwardly with reference to the direction of rotationof the rotor, as indicated by the direction arrow D in Fig. 3, so thatas liquid tends to climb over the feed end of inner baffle plate 24under the action of centrifugal force as the rotor is rotated, theimpellers serve to prevent such climbing, and flange 34 serves todeflect whatever small amount of liquid that may be thrown past theimpellers. The detachable bayonet connection of inner baffle plate 24provides a ready means by which it may be removed for cleaning on theoccasions when this may become necessary.

Apertures 26 in the baiile plates should be relatively small to effectformation of small droplets, but large enough to obviate clogging. Ifthey are from A3" to p 2" in diameter, this will be satisfactory formost purposes. As liquid is continually fed to the center of the rotor,it is dispersed radially outwardly through the bafile plate aperturesunder the action of the centrifugal force. Passage of the liquid throughthe apertures in the course of its outward movement causes it to berepeatedly disrupted into small droplets at each successive bafileplate; and this exposes an extremely large surface area of the In thisconnection, it is to be noted that the end 35 01' the rotor defined bythe edges of the bafile plates adjacent the inlet end of the rotor, isopen; or in other words, substantially the entire area covered by thepath of outward movement of the liquid is open to the chamber 2. As aresult,-the gas which escapes from the liquid being deaerated is open toand can, consequently, be readily drawn ofl under the eifect of thevacuum.

The liquid deaerated after it is discharged through the apertures in theouter baille plate 21, flows to the bottom of chamber 2, which bottom isinclined to form a sump 31 connected to discharge outlet 38 over which astrainer 39 may be .4 placed if so desired. My apparatus and method havebeen found particularly applicable for the deaerating of relativelyviscous liquids such as fruit and vegetable purees, catsup and similarliquid food products which are to be canned, and which readily entrapair. However, it is to be understood that it may be employed for thedeaeration of any liquid containing dissolved or occluded gas, such asfruit and vegetable juices, and oil having air or other gas entrapped ordissolved therein; and the term deaeration is defined to include removalof air or any other gas.

In the embodiment of Figs. 4 through 7, is iilustrated another form ofrotor construction which is designed to provide for ready removal of thebaffle plate supporting portion of the rotor should this be necessaryfor replacement or repair. Also, another form of means is provided forpreventing the liquid from climbing over the inlet end of the innerbaflle plate, although the means described with respect to themodification of Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is preferred because it has been foundto produce the best results. Otherwise the embodiment of Figs. 4 through'7 is the same as that already described, being mounted in a vacuumizedchamber in the manner related.

The rotor comprises base plate 4| keyed for rotation to motor shaft 42.In the upper part of plate 4| about central hub portion 43 is an annularrecess or groove 44 which communicates with a plurality of equi-spacedradially extending grooves 46 extending adjacent the periphery of plate4| at which a peripheral recess 41 is formed. A plurality of concentricspaced grooves 48 are also formed in the top surface of rotor plate 4|between recess 44 and recess 41. The described groove or recessarrangement on rotor base plate 4| provides a means for detachablyseating a baffle plate carrying spider 49 shown in Fig. 5. The spiderhas central hub portion 5| adapted to seat in recess 44 of base plate4|, and also radially extending spokes 52 of substantially the samewidth and substantially the same depth as radially extending grooves 46so as to seat therein in driving relationship therewith; the spokes 52being joined to rim 53 which has shoulder 54 adapted to seat in theperipheral recess 41 of rotor base plate 4|.

Spokes 52 have concentric recesses 56 adapted to provide seats for theapertured annular baiile plates 51 in which the ends of such baflleplates are secured in the manner already described; the concentricgrooves 48 in rotor base plate 4| being in alinement with recesses 56when the spider is mounted on the base plate thus providing means forthe reception of the portions of bafile plates 51 between spokes 52. Theinnermost baffle plate is detachably mounted to the hub 5| of the spider59 by suitable bayonet connecting means 58.

For preventing climbing of liquid over the inlet of the inner baffleplate as it is being introduced into the rotor from conduit 28, suchinlet end is formed with a curved downwardly extending lip or flange 6|which cooperates with a cone deflector 62; the surface of which isconcave. Otherwise the operation is the same as that previouslydescribed.

In both the previously described modifications, the bottom end of therotor opposite the liquid inlet end is closed but the inlet end is open,so that gas may readily escape under the vacuum conditions. If desired,the bottom of the rotor may be also open as is disclosed in themodification of Fig. 8 wherein the apertured bafile plates 66 which areconcentrically arranged in the manner described, are secured to thespaced arms of a rotor base which is in the form of a spider 61 havingradially extending arms or spokes 68 secured to peripheral rim 59 and toa hub II. Hub H is secured by means of pins 12 to deflector member 13 inturn keyed to motor shaft M. The spokes 68 provide open spacingtherebetween; and the lower ends of baffle plates 66 are secured insuitable grooves formed in such spokes, by any suitable means such asbrazing or welding.

In the modification of Fig. 8, the innermost baffle plate and associatedmeans to prevent climbing of the liquid are shown in the mannerillustrated with respect to the embodiment of Figs. 4 through 7.However, they may be the same as described in the embodiment of Figs. 1through 3. In this connection, it is to be noted that in all themodifications, the bottom portion of the rotor within the innermostbaflie plate is closed, so as to form a receptacle in which the enteringliquid is caught, and thus insure that there will be no escape of theliquid before the liquid is subjected to the action of the describedcentrifugal force and thrown outwardly.

The bafile plates and other parts of my apparatus are preferably ofmetal, although any other suitable material may be employed. Although inall embodiments of the invention, I have shown apertured bafiie plateswhich are concentrically arranged and are hence independent rings, theconstruction may be in a form of a spiral formed from a continuous sheetof suitable perforated material which will provide a plurality ofapertured annular baffie plates nested in spaced relationship withrespect to each other, as is also the case with respect to theconcentrically arranged plates illustrated.

I claim:

1. A centrifugal deaerator comprising a chamber having an outlet fordeaerated liquid, means for connection to vacuum creating means formaintaining said chamber under vacuum, a deaerating rotor rotatablymounted in said chamber comprising a plurality of apertured annularbaffle plates nested in spaced relationship with respect to each other,and means for introducing liquid to be deaerated into said rotor.

2. A centrifugal deaerator comprising a chamber having an outlet fordeaerated liquid, means for connection to vacuum creating means formaintaining said chamber under vacuum, a deaerating rotor rotatablymounted in said chamber comprising a plurality of apertured annularbaflie plates nested in spaced relationship with respect to each other,an end of said rotor formed by edges of said plates being open to allowescape of gas, and means for introducing liquid to be deaerated intosaid rotor.

3. A centrifugal deaerator comprising a chamber having an outlet fordeaerated liquid, means for connection to vacuum creating means formaintaining said chamber under vacuum, a deaerating rotor rotatablymounted in said chamber comprising a plurality of apertured annularbaffle plates nested in spaced relationship with respect to each other,an end of said rotor formed by edges of said plates being open to allowescape of gas, and means for introducing liquid to be deaeratedcentrally of the rotor into the space within the inner bafiie plate.

4. A centrifugal deaerator comprising a chamber having an outlet fordeaerated liquid, means for connection to vacuum creating means formaintaining said chamber under vacuum, a

deaerating rotor rotatably mounted in said chamber comprising aplurality of apertured annular baflie plates nested in spacedrelationship with respect to each other, an end of said rotor formed byedges of said plates being open to allow escape of gas, means forintroducing liquid to be deaerated centrally of the rotor into the spacewithin the inner baffle plate, and means associated with said innerbaffle plate to prevent the liquid from climbing over said inner bafiieplate as it is being introduced.

5. A centrifugal deaerator comprising a chamber having an outlet fordeaerated liquid, means for connection to vacuum creating means formaintaining said chamber under vacuum, a deaerating rotor rotatablymounted in said chamber comprising a plurality of apertured annularbaffie plates nested in spaced relationship with respect to each other,an end of said rotor formed by edges of said plates being open to allowescape of gas, means for introducing liquid to be deaerated centrally ofthe rotor into the space within the inner bafile plate including aliquid feed conduit having a discharge end adjacent the inlet end ofsaid inner bafile plate, and means associated with said inner baffleplate to prevent liquid from climbing over said inlet end of said innerbafile plate as it is being introduced including an inwardly extendingflange on said inlet end and impeller means on the inner wall of saidinner baffle plate spaced from said flange.

6. A centrifugal deaerator comprising a chamber having an outlet fordeaerated liquid, means for connection to vacuum creating means formaintaining said chamber under vacuum, a deaerating rotor rotatablymounted in said chamber comprising a plurality of apertured annularbaflle plates nested in spaced relationship with respect to each other,an end of said rotor formed by edges of said plates being open to allowescape of gas, means for introducing liquid to be deaerated centrally ofthe rotor into the space within the inner baffle plate, means associatedwith said inner bafiie plate to prevent the liquid from climbing oversaid baffle plate as it is being introduced, and means detachablymounting said inner baffle plate.

7. A centrifugal deaerator comprising a chamber having an outlet fordeaerated liquid, means for connection to vacuum creating means formaintaining said chamber under vacuum, a deaerating rotor rotatablymounted in said chamber comprising a rotor base and a plurality ofapertured annular baffle plates nested in spaced relationship withrespect to each other and detachably mounted on said rotor base, an endof said rotor formed by edges of said plates being open to allow escapeof gas, and means for introducing liquid to be deaerated centrally ofthe rotor into the space within the inner bafille plate.

8. A centrifugal deaerator comprising a chamber having means adjacentthe to thereof for connection to vacuum creating means for maintainingsaid chamber under vacuum, a deaerator rotor mounted in said chamberbelow said vacuum connection means for rotation about an upright axiscomprising an inner apertured annular baffle plate, an outer aperturedannular baflie plate and a plurality of apertured annular baflle platesbetween said inner and said outer plates, all of said bafile platesbeing nested in spaced relationship with respect to each other, an endof said rotor formed by edges of said plates being open to allow escapeof gas, means for introducing liquid to be deaerated centrally of therotor into the space within the inner baflle plate, means associatedwith said inner baifle plate to prevent the liquid from climbing oversaid inner plate as it is being introduced, and an outlet for deaeratedliquid in the bottom of said chamber.

9. The method of deaerating liquids which comprises introducing a liquidto be deaerated into a confined space maintained under vacuum,subjecting the liquid in said space to a centrifugal force effect toefiect dispersal of the liquid radially outwardly, subjecting saidliquid in the course of its outward movement to repeated steps ofdisruption into droplets, and maintaining substantially the entire areacovered by the path of outward movement of said liquid open to saidvacuum.

10. 'The method of deaerating liquids which comprises introducing aliquid to be deaerated into a confined space maintained under vacuum,

8 subjecting the liquid in said space to a centrifugal force efiect toeffect dispersal of the liquid radially outwardly, subjecting saidliquid in the course of its outward movement to repeated steps ofdisruption into droplets and subsequent coalescence, and maintainingsubstantially the entire area covered by the path of outward movement ofsaid liquid open to said vacuum.

WILLIAM McK. MARTIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,667,139 Borden Apr. 24, 19282,060,242 Pulley Nov. 10, 1936 2,064,650 Emanueli Dec. 15, 1936

1. A CENTRIFUGAL DEAERATOR COMPRISING A CHAMBER HAVING AN OUTLET FORDEAERATED LIQUID, MEANS FOR CONNECTION TO VACUUM CREATING MEANS FORMAINTAINING SAID CHAMBER UNDER VACUUM, A DESERATING ROTOR ROTATABLYMOUNTED IN SAID CHAMBER COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF APERTURED ANNULARBAFFLE PLATES NESTED IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER,AND MEANS FOR INTRODUCING LIQUID TO BE DEAERATED INTO SAID ROTOR.